Schwarzenegger's Easter "Makeover"!
Arno says: "2005 to be the Year of Reform"
Reported By: TheARNOLDFANS.com Staff
Sunday, March 27, 2005

"The Austrian Oak of California" is scheduled to make a cameo appearance on the ABC television show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" on Sunday to tout the use of solar electricity in homes and businesses.

The governator will appear during Sunday night's episode, when a home is renovated with a solar photovoltaic system that allows the house to produce its own electricity, helping the owner to save on electricity bills, according to ABC's Web site and the San Francisco nonprofit Vote Solar.

Schwarzenegger is championing new legislation ‹ known as the Million Solar Roofs Initiative ‹ that would create an 10-year incentive fund to encourage both residences and commercial buildings to install solar power systems.

In each episode of "Extreme Makeover," now in its second season, a team of designers, contractors and several hundred workers completely rebuild a house within one week.

In other news, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has a special Easter message for the people of California!

For many of us, Easter is a time for change and renewal, for families here and around the world.

It is a time filled with opportunity and hope.

A time to look at old problems in new ways. 

In this spirit, I ask all of my fellow Californians to join with me in reaching for a future for our state as golden and promising as the one our parents and grandparents sought for us.  This is our chance to fundamentally change the way government affects our lives and serves the people.  A chance to make government not a roadblock to our dreams, but a partner in our lives.   

Two California Governors I greatly admire are Hiram Johnson, the Republican reformer, and Pat Brown, the Democrat builder.  These leaders demonstrated the importance of moving in a new direction, and they made tough choices for the good of California.

Today, as Republicans and Democrats, we have to remember the lessons of those great leaders, because this generation of Californians demands reform.  We must summon the courage to overcome the great challenges of our time. 

That is why I have declared 2005 to be the Year of Reform for California.

A time to take control of runaway government spending.

A time to unshackle the economy and bring opportunity to every person.

A time to make our education system once again a model for the nation.

A time to elevate the people above the political class, and restore true democracy to our elections.

Right now our budget and state pension systems are out of control, and threaten essential services like education, public safety and health care for years to come.

Our education system does not reward good teachers, and limits the opportunities for students to succeed.

And our elections process is distorted by electoral district lines drawn to benefit politicians instead of the people they are supposed to serve.

So I have entered this fight to change things ­ not because I want to, but because I must.  Because I was sent to office in a special election called by the people; it was an election that was not about one person or one idea, but about Californians¹ demand for fundamental reform.  The citizens elected me on the promise of change and with a need for urgency.

  It is going to be tough, but it is a fight that must be fought right now. Delay simply puts us into a deeper hole.

In political battles, the first casualty is often the truth.  So defenders of the status quo will say all sorts of things to protect their interests. But my responsibility is to serve all Californians, and I see my responsibility clearly. I embrace it for the sake of my four kids and for the sake of all California children who deserve a secure future.

  This is not just a Democrat or Republican issue. Legislators on both sides are refusing to address our problems because they fear the displeasure of their political benefactors more than the consequences of inaction. 

So that is why I turn to you.  I ask you, my fellow Californians, to join with me to renew our great state.  You are the true power in this state. When you flex your muscles, California will be stronger.

  I have been told that I often see things in simple terms.  It is something I share in common with millions of hard working citizens across this state. Only in politics do we confuse and confound so thoroughly, preferring the safer road of slogans to the truer one less traveled.

  Spring brings with it new opportunity and hope for the journey ahead. During this season, we must seize this chance for renewal.  We must make reform a declaration of our purpose as a people. 

So as we renew our commitment to family and friends, let us also renew our commitment to all Californians ­ those of us here today, and those whose future is in our hands.

Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger

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TheARNOLDFANS.com Staff